TOOWOOMBA pole vaulter Ryka Dunemann has already set the bar very high after his first year in the sport.
But the 13-year-old is confident he can better that success in 2013.
Ryka has only been competing in the pole vault since September, but he’s proven to be a natural.
He won gold at the Australian All Schools Championships last year, setting the Australian under-14 record at 3.30m in the process.
The St Mary’s College student then increased that mark to 3.50m with his gold medal-winning effort at the Queensland Junior Club Championships last month.
His next challenge will be the Australian Junior Club Championships in Perth starting today.
Ryka said he’d been jumping well at training and he fancied his chances of collecting another gold.
“I hope so. I’ve already got a lead in my age group,” he said.
“Training wise, I’ve been jumping PBs and qualifiers.
“The person behind me is still 40cm under. I’m in the gold position. I just have to do it on the day.”
While winning gold was his first priority, Ryka said another record height wasn’t out of reach.
“I’ve gotten over it a few times at training,” he said.
“I’ve got new poles now, so I should be able to get over it.”
Ryka will also compete in the high jump and triple jump this week.
He won silver in the triple jump at the state championships last month and tied for first in high jump at All Schools.
That success has the multi-talented athlete eager to try his hand at the decathlon as well.
The decathlon consists of 10 different track and field eventsk, including the 100m sprint, javelin and pole vault.
Ryka believes he’d have a big advantage in the event.
“I may be moving to decathlon, because I’m an all-rounder,” he said.
“I have an advantage because most people can’t get the pole vault at the start.”
From: http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/vaulter-hopes-build-rapid-rise/1789055/
